So You Want to Buy a Netbook...

The netbook formula is simple: Take one ordinary notebook, strip out some of its processing power, shrink its size by a little and reduce the price tag by a lot. And while early models lacked the ability to handle anything much more demanding than a Web page or a text document, new netbooks cram performance once reserved for full-size laptops into 2-pound packages costing around $250 to $500. These machines arenÂ't designed to serve as your primary PC, but they are ideal as low-cost, low-mass secondary systems for carrying on a plane or around the house.

A. Operating System

Microsoft's 8-year-old Windows XP has found a second wind powering low-cost netbooks, and the new Windows 7 was designed with netbooks in mind. Just avoid Windows Vista if you can—the bloated OS can overwhelm netbooks' low-power processors. Open-source devotees may also opt for a Linux netbook, although these are becoming less common. And sorry, Apple fans: no Mac netbooks just yet.

B. Keyboard

Although some newer models cram in full-size keyboards, the small size of most netbooks necessitates a shrunken typing space—usually 10 to 20 percent smaller—which can cause discomfort for people used to larger layouts. Be sure to test out any keyboard before you buy to make sure you find it comfortable.

C. Central Processing Unit

The most common netbook configurations currently involve 1.3- and 1.6-GHz versions of Intel's power-efficient Atom processor. This is plenty of power for the simple applications netbooks are designed for, but future models will see faster speeds. And competitors such as Nvidia now offer netbook-targeted chipsets that aim to offer superior graphical performance. Most users should avoid anything slower than 1 GHz.

D. Screen

Most netbooks have either 8- or 10-inch screens, although some are as large as 12 inches (anything more is a full-fledged notebook) or as small as seven. Settling on a screen size is a balancing act: Large displays are easier to read, but they cost more, and hurt portability and battery life.

E. Wireless Connectivity

Expect built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (card pictured), although many netbooks can't take advantage of faster 802.11n Wi-Fi speed. Some netbooks also have optional integrated 3G network connections—a potentially appealing proposition considering the devices' take-anywhere size. Expect to pay an additional $40 to $60 per month for the service.

F. Card Reader

Most netbooks favor SD memory-card slots over space-consuming optical drives (which are usually offered as an add-on external accessory). These slots make it easy to upload just-shot digital photos. Larger 16 and 32 GB SD cards allow for expandable memory.

G. Battery

Netbooks have smaller screens and less powerful processors than full-size laptops—and battery life benefits. Some models claim 12 hours per charge, but anything more than four is excellent. To stay slim, many netbooks use batteries that protrude from the machine`s rear.

H. RAM

The more random-access memory (RAM) a netbook has, the better it will be able to handle heavy-duty applications. Top-shelf netbooks currently come with up to 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM, but 1 GB is enough for most applications (it's also the minimum amount of RAM required to run Windows 7).

I. USB

Netbooks usually have fewer USB ports than full-size notebooks—typically one to three. One useful feature to look out for: Some models allow users to charge other gadgets through a USB port, even while the netbook is in sleep mode—so you can charge a phone or MP3 player while the computer is stashed in a bag.

J. Storage

If you plan on storing a large library of media, opt for the largest hard drive you can afford—current netbook models have 250 GB or more of storage. But if you just want a netbook for surfing the Web and writing documents, solid-state drivesÂ­, which hold less data but are more durable and potentially fasterÂ­, may be preferable.

What about those subsidized netbooks?

Most of the major wireless carriers now sell dirt-cheap subsidized netbooks (they typically go for about $200, though we've seen them sell for basically nothing during promotions). The catch: The machines come with long-term contracts for expensive mobile data plans—typically $40 to $60 per month, on top of your other phone and Internet bills. Meaning that an almost-free netbook can suddenly cost an extra $1400 over a two-year contract. Our advice: If you want take-anywhere 3G network access, stick to a separate 3G modem. The monthly fees will be the same, and it won't be tied to one computer.

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